The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

This posthumous collection of gloriously illustrated traditional rhymes and songs supplemented by a brief biographical sketch gives Caldecott Medalist Zemach’s (Duffy and the Devil, 1973) fans one more chance to savor the delicious watercolors of this highly respected artist. (Sendak called her “one of the very few who helped elevate it [the American picture book] to an art form.”) The 26 poems and songs include both the familiar (“This Little Pig Went to Market,” “Star Light, Star Bright,” and “Bingo”) and lesser-known rhymes about mice and hens, pussycats, and sleepy babies. Each poem or song is illustrated with previously unpublished watercolors showing Zemach’s wide-ranging variations in style, from loose, impressionistic pieces to a detailed double-page spread illustrating the cheerfully chaotic home of the pig family whose mother escapes to the market. Six additional pages include short autobiographical notes, family photographs, and additional sketches and illustrations, giving a glimpse into the artist’s life. A complete bibliography of Zemach’s published work is also appended, making this a first choice for most library collections as well as an excellent addition to any toddler’s shelf of nursery rhyme favorites. (Picture book. 2-5)

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